Zach Eflin pitched into the eighth inning, J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-2 on Friday night.
Eflin (1-0) allowed six hits, struck out six and walked none in seven-plus innings. The lanky right-hander retired 12 straight batters at one point and exited after surrendering a two-run homer to Justin Williams in the eighth.
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Zach Eflin pitched into the eighth inning, J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-2 on Friday night.
The Phillies jumped ahead 6-0 in the second with their biggest inning of the season. Nine straight batters reached safely after Martinez got the first out.
Realmuto connected off Kodi Whitley in the seventh, increasing the lead to 8-0.
Both teams wore No. 42 to honor Jackie Robinson. Phillies left fielder Andrew McCutchen tips his cap before every at-bat and after every homer because Robinson acknowledged his wife, Rachel, that way at a home game as portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman in the movie “42.”
Cardinals: RHP Dakota Hudson was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injury list on Thursday. Hudson had Tommy John surgery last September and it’s uncertain whether he’ll return late this season.
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Cardinals righty Carlos Martinez (0-3) gave up six runs and five hits in five innings.
Philadelphia Phillies Zach Elfin throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, April 16, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoLaurence Kesterson)
The Phillies jumped ahead 6-0 in the second with their biggest inning of the season. Nine straight batters reached safely after Martinez got the first out.
Alec Bohm and Didi Gregorius hit consecutive singles. Jean Segura followed with a wind-aided, RBI double that center fielder Dylan Carlson misplayed by about 20 feet. After Mickey Moniak was intentionally walked to load the bases, Eflin was hit by a pitch to force in a run.
McCutchen then lined a two-run single to right and Hoskins walked to again load the bases. Bryce Harper ripped a two-run double to right-center to give Eflin a comfortable cushion.
St Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez gestures after Philadelphia Phillies Alec Bohm scored on a single by Jean Segura during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, April 16, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoLaurence Kesterson)
Realmuto connected off Kodi Whitley in the seventh, increasing the lead to 8-0.
Williams ended Eflin’s night when he launched his first career homer, an opposite-field drive to right-center.
JACKIE ROBINSON DAY
St Louis Cardinals Tommy Edmann is out at second as Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Jean Segura throws to first for a double play during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 16, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoLaurence Kesterson)
Both teams wore No. 42 to honor Jackie Robinson. Phillies left fielder Andrew McCutchen tips his cap before every at-bat and after every homer because Robinson acknowledged his wife, Rachel, that way at a home game as portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman in the movie “42.”
“The adversities he battled on and off the field is something I could not begin to fathom,” McCutchen said. “He is my idol and he will forever be a legend. ... My gesture is as an ode to Jackie and Rachel.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
St Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, April 16, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoLaurence Kesterson)
Cardinals: RHP Dakota Hudson was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injury list on Thursday. Hudson had Tommy John surgery last September and it’s uncertain whether he’ll return late this season.
UP NEXT
LHP Matt Moore (0-0, 7.56 ERA) makes his third start for the Phillies while LHP Kwang Hyun Kim makes his season debut for the Cardinals on Saturday night. Kim had an excellent rookie season, going 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA last year.
Philadelphia Phillies' JT Realmuto watches his two-run home run during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, April 16, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoLaurence Kesterson)
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Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper gestures from second base to the team's dugout after hitting an RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, April 16, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoLaurence Kesterson)